The investigation

If the crime happened some time ago, even years ago, you can still report it. If you decide to report a crime that happened in the past, call your local police station (external link) and ask to speak to a detective. You can take a support person with you when you report a crime, regardless of when the crime happened.

When you make a report to police they can:

organise specialist interviewers to take your statement of what happened (this may be recorded on DVD).

ask whether you want to talk to a specialist support worker about what happens next (this person will not be from the police).

Investigating the crime

Once you have made your report, a police officer who is trained in sexual violence will investigate (called the 'officer in charge').

As part of the investigation, the officer in charge:

will talk to you to find out everything that happened (they may ask to speak to you several times).